santa cruz wharf

13 August 2007

Manic Monday with Mo ~ drop

I came across it by surprise while searching through all the junk, eyes scanning for those tiny pliers, fingertips probing way into the back of the drawer. Feeling a piece of paper all shoved up into the corner…I tugged sharply….ripping it some on the way out.

Distracted by the task at hand, moving aside books and papers trying to find that damn tool…it took a few seconds. Finally glancing down, I came to a complete halt. Shoulder and arm slack…my hand dropped to the desk. My fingers clutched so tight the paper crumpled in my grip. In no way prepared to confront the visual, all other thoughts dropped from my mind. One long deep breath eased silently through my lips. Out of nowhere a drop splashed. Releasing my grasp I used the sleeve of my sweater to wipe it away.

I didn’t even realize it was happening until the teardrop fell onto the photograph…and then another. Like a gentle wave the emotions crashed over me. Molten water overflowed my eyes forcing those slow heavy teardrops…hot teardrops drawn down your face by gravity. Breathing slow and shallow…flooded by memories smothering me from all else.

Gently I ran my hand across the photograph pressing out the creases. Not-so-gently I shoved it into my back pocket. Without intent...walking across the room... raising my sleeve again...wiping the drops from my face.

I stood at the fireplace staring at the crack left in the stone by the last earthquake. Dropping another log onto the flames I realized this was the last of the cord we had chopped and stacked together. As the log caught sudden heat hit my face drying the last teardrop. Reaching behind me I pulled the mangled photograph from my pocket. Reaching slowly across the hearth….I held the photograph over the blaze…and just….let it….drop.

12 comments:

Barb said...

That was amazing..

Sandee said...

What an awesome take on drop. Have a great MM. :)

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

wow, great writing!

smiles, bee

Durward Discussion said...

Beautiful. It is amazing how a sound or song or image can instantly bring back joy or pain.

Mel said...

One word--a whole lotta emotions revisited.

There's a thing or two I've let drop into the flames.
For me it was a required drop that helped to 'move' me from the circumstances and back into the living.

*hugs*

katherine. said...

skit: thanks sweetie

comedy: thanks

Bee: thanks..smile

jamie: it is amazing what triggers memories.

mel: the flames do help to move me on.

Elsie said...

Wow, this is beautiful, I could feel the emotions...

Linda said...

That was a very powerful drop and very well written. I have had my heart drop into my eyes like that a time or two - generally without warning and with no control over the tears that dropped from my eyes. Funny how things can defy gravity like that, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

From "drop" you got that...beautiful Kat. I had this happen once from the scent of Old Spice.

Odat said...

You never know what will bring the teardrops...beautiful post.
"Tears water the soul"

Peace

Travis Cody said...

Sorry I missed this yesterday - I realized this morning that I hadn't been here!

This is a wonderful snapshot of a deep emotion. Very well done.

Unknown said...

Just WOW - I´ve read it 3 times in my google reader... with teary eyes.